Combating MRSA: The drug-resistant "superbug"
Bacteria that don't succumb to the usual antibiotics give everyone the jitters. But there's a lot we can do to keep the upper hand.
Few achievements in modern medicine can rival Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin in 1928, which began a cascade of antibiotics that cure infections and save lives. But the widespread use of these lifesaving drugs has led to the rise of drug-resistant bacteria, or "superbugs," which are outwitting even our newest and most powerful antibiotics.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise